TheBarom
Kagyu Chodrak Drupju Chuling Tibetan Buddhist
Group was founded by Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche in 2004 and registered as
a not for profit, incorporated association in March, 2005.
Barom
Kagyu Chodrak Drupju Chuling was established by Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche to
bring a precious teaching and practice lineage to the west. Until this time,
very few, authentic Barom Kagyu lineage holders have been able to come to
western countries to teach and transmit the immeasurably beneficial practices
of this lineage. Since coming to Australia,
in 2002, in keeping with Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava’s pre-sentient vision
that the Dharma would flourish in the west, Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche has
worked toward establishing an authentic Barom Kagyu practice lineage in Australia

Named by our spiritual director, His Eminence
Chodrak Saljey Rinpoche, the goals of
Barom
Kagyu Chodrak Drupju Chuling are
clearly reflected in the English translation – The Barom Kagyu Chodrak Centre
for Charity and Peace. It is Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche’s vision that the
teachings of the Barom Kagyu lineage will bring peace, compassion, wisdom and
loving kindness to his students. He also works tirelessly to promote the
welfare of the Tibetan people in Yushu, Kham, in the Tibetan Autonomous
Region in China, which has
been described as one of the most economically disadvantaged areas in Tibet.
Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche’s charitable projects are raising funds for
the Chodrak orphanage, the nuns of Dechencholing Chodrak Nunnery and funding
for a free medical clinic. More detailed information about each of these
charitable endeavours is provided in the web pages that follow.

Throughout his life, His Eminence Chodrak Saljey
Rinpoche has embodied the virtue of the Dharma. As an emanation of Manjushri,
His Eminence has studied and practised tirelessly, receiving profound
teachings from realised masters such as The Accomplished Drupchen Karma
Norbu, His Eminence Jamgon Tai Situ Rinpoche, Jetsun Yeshe Rabgyay, Khenpo
Karma Tsenten, Jamyang Lodoe Rinchen, Khenpo Toru Tsenam, Khenpo Chime Rabten
and other kind teachers. In the tradition of the great Tibetan yogis, Saljey
Rinpoche continuously remained in meditative retreat in mountain hermitages
and places of solitude throughout the province
of Kham, recognised by Guru Rinpoche as a place of special spiritual and meditative importance. His
Eminence undertook rigorous practice of the skilful path of the Great Seal,
Mahamudra, and the liberating path of the Six Yogas of Naropa, and actualised
fully the excellent virtues of the grounds and path of advanced tantric practice.

In the age of Kaliyuga, His Eminence Chodrak Saljey
Rinpoche has been likened to the first glow of dawn appearing amongst the
darkening clouds of social and political turmoil. Resolving to work toward
the re-establishment of the main and branch monasteries of the Barom Kagyu
Chodrak lineage, His Eminence successfully rebuilt monasteries destroyed
during the worst excesses of The Cultural Revolution. Saljey Rinpoche
established again the Retreat monastery of Gampopa and that of the Barom
Kagyu lineage in the north of Kham province. He fostered many hundreds of
practitioners engaged in dharma study and practice by giving them sustenance,
shelter and teachings. He inspired compassion and diligence in dharma
practice by his loving kindness to the poor, the elderly, beggars and the
handicapped, encouraging his students to recite billions of Chenrezig mantras
to benefit all sentient beings. Following the advice of his kind teacher,
Drupchen Karma Norbu Rinpoche, His Eminence has spent the last several years
in strict meditational retreat, working still for the benefit of all beings.

Barom
Kagyu Chodrak Drupju Chuling is most grateful to
His Eminence Chodrak Saljed Rinpoche for his insights, advice and support
given to our endeavours.

Born at Chodrak Lungmagka, close by Chenjum Sengha,
a sacred, holy place discovered by Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava, in the province
of Kham, East Tibet, Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche commenced his monastic
studies at the age of eight when he was ordained by His Eminence Chodrak
Saljey Rinpoche. Under the guidance of His Eminence Saljey Rinpoche and
Venerable Lama Yeshe Rabje Rinpoche, Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche trained
for ten years in both the Barom Kagyu and Karma Kagyu traditions. Ven. Sonam
Tenzin Rinpoche received full monastic training in all areas pertaining to
monastic life, as well as completing secondary studies in Tibetan language,
history and sociology. As an accomplished student, Rinpoche also received
additional training at many other monastic institutions. At Palpung
Monastery, Zokchen Monastery, Shechen Monastery and Arig Monastery, Venerable
Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche received teachings and tantric initiations conducted by
Khenpo Lotsul Rinpoche, Khenpo Daser Rinpoche and Chodrak Monastery under the
auspices of Khenpo Dam Cho Dawa Rinpoche and Khenpo Shedrup Gyurmed. In the
next eight years, as well as completing studies in higher Buddhist
philosophy, Rinpoche mastered the arts of musical instruments, torma making,
chanting and Cham, ritual dancing for sacred purposes that westerners often
refer to as “Lama dancing”.

Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche was blessed to
receive many initiations, instructions and teachings from His Holiness The
17th Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorje when he was enthroned at Tsurphu Monastery.
From His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche, Ven. Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche received
essential and advanced teachings. In 1992, Rinpoche followed His Holiness the
17th Gyalwa Karmapa from East Tibet to West Tibet.
Because of the continuing uncertainty of the political climate in Tibet,
Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche and several other monks took this opportunity
to escape Tibet and reached Nepal after an arduous and harrowing journey of twenty nine days.

In the early months of 2002, Venerable Sonam Tenzin
Rinpoche was invited by Venerable Choje Lama Shedrup to become the resident
teacher at Kagyu Thigsum Chokyi Ghatsal Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Launceston,
Tasmania. On October 3rd, 2002,
Rinpoche touched down at Launceston Airport. In his three
years as Resident teacher and Spiritual advisor, Venerable Sonam Tenzin
Rinpoche has reached out to many, conducting classes in secondary colleges on
meditation practices and Buddhist philosophy, regularly visiting the sick and
elderly in local hospitals and hospices, conducting weddings, blessings for
new born babies and house blessings. The outstanding delicacy and beauty of
Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche’s artistry has been recognised by the
Tasmanian government, and Rinpoche’s infectious pleasure in the joy of
spiritual endeavour as expressed in classical Tibetan Buddhist sadhanas has
inspired us all to more meaningful and dedicated practice. Rinpoche regularly
travels between various cities in Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Tibet
to meet with his students, give dharma talks, conduct pujas and guide us on
our spiritual path.